Light fountain

ABSTRACT

AN ILLUMINATED, DECORATIVE WATER FOUNTAIN PRESENTING AN ATTRACTIVE VISUAL EFFECT OF LIGHT CASCADING FROM AN ELEVATED CONTAINER OF WATER. THE INTERIOR OF THE CONTAINER IS FILLED WITH WATER TO AN OPERATING LEVEL ABOVE APERTURES IN THE CONTAINER TO PRESENT A FREE FLOW CASCADING DISCHARGE OF WATER ALONG AN EXTERIOR PATH. A SEPARATE LIGHT SOURCE FOR EACH APERTURE IS DISPOSED WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE CONTAINER TO DIRECT LIGHT TOWARD THE ASSOCIATED APERTURE AT AN ANGLE RELATIVE TO THE EXTERIOR PATH IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE WATER DISCHARGE EFFECTS DEFLECTION OF THE LIGHT ALONG THE EXTERIOR PATH TO CREATE A VISUAL APPEARANCE OF CASCADING LIGHT.

NOV. 7, 1972 w 5 3,702,172

LIGHT FOUNTAIN Filed Sept. 20. 1971 INVENTOR. Dale E. Hawkins F #MJOZW,Mg

Afiorneys United States Patent 3,702,172 LIGHT FOUNTAIN Dale E. Hawkins,15513 E. 43rd, Independence, Mo. 64055 Filed Sept. 20, 1971, Ser. No.181,794

Int. Cl. F21p 7/00 1 US. Cl. 23918 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREAn illuminated, decorative water fountain presenting an attractivevisual effect of light cascading from an elevated container of water.The interior of the container is filled with water to an operating levelabove apertures in the container to present a free flow, cascadingdischarge of water along an exterior path. A separate light source foreach aperture is disposed within the interior of the container to directlight toward the associated aperture at an angle relative to theexterior path in such a manner that the water discharge effectsdeflection of the light along the exterior path to create a visualappearance of cascading light.

This invention relates to decorative water fountains of the typenormally found in lawns, public parks, etc., and relates moreparticularly to those types of fountains having illuminated waterdischarge.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a fountainhaving an elevated container of liquid with an aperture in the containerfor presenting a cascading discharge of liquid therefrom and wherein isprovided means within the container for illuminating the liquiddischarge in a manner creating a visual effect of a cascading dischargeof light, rather than a cascade of liquid, from the aperture to producean attractive and unusual illuminated display.

Another object of the invention is to provide color illumination meansof the type set forth which includes a light source that directs lightfrom the container interior toward the aperture and the cascadingdischarge in a direction angularly disposed with respect to the exteriordischarge path of the liquid, the discharging liquid thereby effectingdeflection of the light substantially along said exterior dischargepathin order to present a fountain of simple, economical, and ruggedconstruction which produces a visual elfect of the type described.

Another object of the invention is to provide a discharge coloringelement disposed between the light source and the aperture, whichelement is provided with a plurality of translucent color panelsselectively shiftable into the path of light to vary the color of saidcascading discharge to further enhance the beauty and attractiveness ofthe illuminated display.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fountain of the classdescribed having a sealed, hollow pedestal member projecting above acatch basin; a spherical, enclosed, container member secured to thepedestal in overlying relationship with the basin and having a pluralityof apertures therein for creating a cascade or water fall from eachaperture upon supplying water to the interior of the container; fixturemeans for accepting electric lamps in a manner positioning each lamp todirect light toward an associated aperture, the electrical connectionend of each fixture means being disposed within the sealed pedestal; theinterior surface of the spherical container being opaque and there beinga cylindrical reflector member surrounding each of the lamps in a mannerdirecting light from the associated source only to the associatedaperture along a horizontal 3,702,172 Patented Nov. 7, 1972 "ice lineangularly disposed from the generally vertical, discharge path ofliquid, so that the discharging liquid deflects the associated lightsubstantially along the vertical discharge path in a manner creating avisual effect of cascading light.

It is another object of the invention to provide a fountain of the classdescribed in the preceding object, electrical conductors and fluidsupply means extending upwardly in the sealed hollow pedestal forrespectively operating the electric lamps and delivering fluid to theinterior of the container, so that the invention may be utilized withvarious types of fountain structures including those of therecirculating type.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention are specificallydescribed in or will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention and theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a fountain constructed in accordance withthe present invention with portions shown in cross-section to revealdetails of construction;

FIG. 2 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, horizontal plan view of the color disc wheel;

FIG. 4 is a vertical elevational view of the color disc wheel of FIG. 3;and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the fountain isdesignated in overall construction by the numeral 10, which fountain isof the type generally found on private lawns, public parks, etc. Thefountain may be quite large in construction as for public displays or,on the other hand, relatively small, economical and adapted for use byprivate individuals as a decorative home or lawn display. The fountaingenerally comprises a catch basin 12 that may be of any attractiveconfiguration, along with an upstanding pedestal member 14 whichprotrudes above the catch basin into the interior 18 of a sphericalcontainer or reservoir 16 that is sealingly secured and supported uponpedestal 14 at juncture 15. The lower end of pedestal 14 is secured andaflixed within the stabilizing, weighted base portion 20 of the basindisposed below the water collecting pool 22 thereof.

The pedestal 14 has a central hollow 24- therein which is sealed fromfluid communication with the interior 18 of the spherical container 16by a seal cap 26, formed from an elastomer material for instance, in amanner maintaining hollow 24 dry and substantially fluid-tight. A watersupply tube or riser 28 is disposed within pedestal hollow 24 andextends through a lower wall thereof for interconnection with anelectric water pump 30 or like fluid supply means. The upper end ofriser 28 extends in sealing engagement through an aperture in seal cap26 into the container interior 18.

The fountain illustrated is of the recirculating type, being providedwith supply pump 30 which lifts water from collecting pool 22 intocontainer interior 18 for subsequent escape therefrom to fall back intocollecting pool 22. Various other arrangements may be utilized, such asproviding a direct, continuous supply of fresh water through a hose orthe like into interior 18.

Container sphere 16 is provided with apertures 32 formed in the wallsthereof and disposed at substantially the same elevational height in ahorizontal diametral plane passing through the geometric center of thesphere 16. Positioned in horizontal, associated alignment with each ofthe apertures 3-2 is an electrical lamp fixture 34 whose electricalconnection end is disposed within the sealed hollow 24 of the pedestal.Fixture 34 is adapted to receive a relatively high intensity light bulb36, for instance a high wattage type of bulb normally utilized in motionpicture projectors, with each of the lamps 36 being positloned to directillumination horizontally at the associated aperture 32.

Surrounding each of the lights is a horizontally disposed, tubular,light reflector member 38 which presents a somewhat concentrated ornarrow beam of light cast from each of the lights 36 substantiallydirectly at the associated aperture 32. In the preferred embodiment, thesphere 16 is enclosed and the interior surface 40 thereof is paintedblack or otherwise rendered Opaque such that only the beam of light fromthe associating illuminating means reaches and emits from each of theapertures 32.

Electrical current conducting wires 42 are provided to extend throughthe dry hollow 24 of the pedestal to interconnect with the inner ends ofeach of the lamp fixtures 34 to operate same. The conductor wires 42 mayextend through the pedestal lower end and stabilizing base 20 of thecatch basin, and an electrical socket (not shown) may be disposed uponthis lower base '20. In this respect, the illustrated form of theinvention includes a pair of electrical toggle switches 44 upon theexterior base 20, one of which is adapted to turn the lights 36 off andon, while the other is adapted to control operation of the electricalwater pump 30.

Disposed adjacent each of the apertures is a color disc element or colorwheel 46, each of which includes a central support disc 48 withangularly displaced and circumferentially located color panels 50. Thefive color panels of each wheel 46 have translucent central portions ofdifferent color or hue so that, in the embodiment illustrated each colorwheel 46 presents a selection of five colors. Each color wheel 46 has arotatable spindle 52 secured to the central support disc 48, whichspindle 52 extends from the interior 18 of the reservoir through theWall thereof to present a handle portion 54 positioned exteriorly ofreservoir 16. Each spindle 52 is rotatably carried upon the reservoirsphere 16 in a manner presenting selective alignment of the dilferentpanels 50' with the associated lights 36 upon selective rotation of thewheel 46. In this respect, it will be noted that the central spindle isdisposed above and aside the associated aperture to effect alignment ofits color panels 50 with the aperture.

In operation, the electrical water pump 30 and supply riser 28 deliverfluid to the container interior 18 to completely fill same, or at leastfill the container to a level 56 above the plane containing theapertures 32 so that the latter are completely submerged. Water freelyflows in a discharge 58 from each of the apertures at a rate determinedby the Water depth or hydrostatic pressure head at the apertures as wellas the size of the apertures 32. The shape, horizontal travel and sizeof discharge 58 will, of course, also vary with the water depth andaperture size. The discharge 58 from each aperture cascades downwardlygenerally vertically to impinge upon an associated splatter plate 60disposed upon the lower catch basin 12. The particular design of thefountain illustrated presents four, symmetrically disposed and identicalcascading discharges 8 from a spherically shaped container 16, eachaperture being of the same size and being presented with equal waterpressure. The particular design, shape and configuration of thecontainer 16, the positions and number of apertures provided therein aswell as the design of basin 12 may be varied as desired to presentpleasing eye-catching displays.

The beam of light emanating from the associated source 36 illuminatesthe water discharge at aperture 32 in a color determined by the colorpanel 50 selectively disposed within the horizontal path of light. Uponand after leaving aperture 32, the cascading discharge 58 causesreflection and/or refraction of the light in a manner deflecting orbending the latter along the generally vertical path of the cascadingdischarge 58. In particular, a certain amount of total internalreflection of the light within particular droplets or streams of thedischarge r58 tend to imprison the light for travel along the path ofdischarge 58. Also, prismatic effects of the water, reflection and/orrefraction, will tend to direct the light downwardly along the flowingdischarge and cause the discharge 58 to partake of the illumination andcolor offered by the illumination means disposed in the interior 1 8 ofcontainer 16. In sum, the consequent emanation of light from thecascading discharge 58 produces an unusual visual appearance oflightrather than water-cascading from the apertures 32. That is, insteadof appearing as a cascade of Water which is bathed in illuminatinglight, the arrangement offered by the present invention presents anappearance of light itself cascading and discharging from aperture 32.

In contrast to conventional type illuminated fountains which may simplybathe the water sprayed or discharged therefrom in a manner presentingthe appearance of colored, illuminated discharge of water, the fountainof the present invention presents the appearance of downwardly freeflowing or cascading light itself, rather than illuminated water. Thisappearance of flowing or liquid light is created by the colorillumination means disposed within the interior of the opaque sphere 16which directs a somewhat concentrated beam of light at the smallaperture 32 that is consequently deflected from its horizontal directionto the relative vertical disposition of discharge 58, which deflectionis effected primarily by the discharge 58 itself. Conventional prismaticdevices may also be utilized for further enhancement of the beautifuland striking appearance presented, though the cascadinglight appearancemay be fully effected without such devices A pronounced appearance oflight emanatlng from the splatter plates will also result as thecascading light discharges impinge thereupon, particularly when theimpinging surface of the splatter plates are mirrored. In addition tomirrored splatter plates, the preferred form of the invention utilizes acontainer 16 which is both liquid-tight and opaque so that fluid andlight emanates only from the apertures 32.

The present invention thereby presents a decorative water fountain ofsimple, economical and reliable construction which gives forth acascading, light display that is unusual, particularly eye pleasing, andhighly attractive.

The spherical container 16, though illustrated as an enclosed device forfurther enhancement of the unusual illumination display, may be open atthe top end thereof or may be made in sections removable from oneanother to facilitate replacement of the light bulbs 36. Also, thecylindrical reflectors 38 may be detachably or permanently aflixed insealing relationship to the pedestal member 14, and similarly, each ofthe light fixtures 34 may sealingly engage the interior surface of thetubular reflectors 38 or may be formed as a single unit in conjunctionwith the associated reflector 38.

These and many other alterations and modifications to the constructionand design of the water fountain illustrated may be incorporated withoutloss of the benefits of the present invention. Accordingly, theforegoing detailed description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention is to be considered exemplary in nature and not as limiting tothe scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fountain:

a container for holding a supply of liquid within the interior thereof,there being at least one aperture formed in the wall of said containerto permit cascading discharge of liquid therefrom along a pathexteriorly of said container;

means for supplying liquid to the interior of the container; and

means disposed within said interior for illuminating said cascadingdischarge upon and after escape thereof through said aperture, wherebyto present a visual appearance of light cascading from said aperturealong said exterior path.

2. A- fountain as set forth in claim 1, wherein said illuminating meansis adapted to direct light from said interior toward said aperture andsaid cascading discharge in a direction angularly disposed relative tosaid exterior path, said cascading discharge effecting deflection of thelight substantially along said exterior path to present said visualappearance of cascading light.

3. A fountain as set forth in claim 2, wherein said illuminating meansincludes a light fixture adapted to receive a light source, and a lightreflector positioned adjacent said fixture in substantially surroundingrelationship to the light source for casting the illumination of thelight source directly toward said aperture.

4. A fountain as set forth in claim 3, wherein said aperture and saidilluminating means are disposed in substantially horizontal alignmentbelow the normal operating level of liquid in said interior, wherebysaid discharge falls from said aperture along a generally verticalexterior path and said illumination is cast substantially horizontallyat said aperture to be thereupon deflected along said vertical exteriorpath.

5. A fountain as set forth in claim 4, wherein said container isprovided with a plurality of spaced apertures disposed in asubstantially horizontal plane whereby liquid pressure at each of saidapertures is substantially equal, and wherein is provided separateilluminating means in said interior associated with each of saidapertures to present said visual appearance of cascading light from eachof said apertures along the corresponding vertical exterior paths, theinterior surface of said container being non-reflective whereby each ofsaid apertures is illuminated only by the illuminating means associatedtherewith.

6. A fountain as set forth in claim 4, wherein said container isenclosed and opaque whereby illumination is emitted therefrom onlythrough said aperture.

7. A fountain as set forth in claim 3 wherein is provided: a catch basindisposed below said container for collecting said discharge; and apedestal member projecting upwardly from said basin with an upper enddisposed in said interior, said container being secured and supportedupon said member in overlying relationship to said basin.

8. A fountain as set forth in claim 7, wherein said member is a sealed,hollow tubular member with said upper end thereof sealed to preventleakage from said interior into the sealed member, said illuminatingmeans being mounted upon said tubular member.

9. A fountain as set forth in claim 8, wherein said liquid supplyingmeans includes a riser disposed within said sealed member and extendingthrough said upper end of the tubular member into said interior tosupply liquid thereto.

10. A- fountain as set forth in claim 8, wherein said light fixture iselectrically operated and is mounted upon said tubular member with oneend disposed within said sealed member, and wherein is providedelectrical current conducting means in said sealed member for connectingwith said one end of the light fixture to operate the light source.

11. A fountain as set forth in claim 3, wherein is provided an elementdisposed in said interior between said aperture and said reflector, saidelement being provided with a translucent, colored panel through whichthe illumination of the light source is cast, whereby said cascadingdischarge partakes of the color of said panel.

12. A fountain as set forth in claim 11, wherein said element isdisc-shaped and is provided with a plurality of angularly disposed,differently colored, translucent panels, said disc element beingrotatable to selectively align said differently colored panels betweensaid aperture and reflector, whereby to vary the color of saiddischarge.

13. A fountain as set forth in claim 12, wherein said disc element isrotatably mounted upon said container and is provided with an operatingspindle extending through said container to the exterior thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,649,683 11/1927 Goodsman 239182,005,602 6/1935 Thomson 239'18 2,687,915 8/1954 Keech 239-48 3,490,6941/ 1970 Ashby 239---18 LLOYD L. KING, Primary Examiner T. C. CULP, JR.,Assistant Examiner

